Now as Pacorus and his friends were considering how they might bring
their plot to bear privately, because it was not possible to circumvent
a man of so great prudence by openly attacking him, Herod prevented them,
and went off with the persons that were the most nearly related to him
by night, and this without their enemies being apprized of it. But as soon
as the Parthians perceived it, they pursued after them; and as he gave
orders for his mother, and sister, and the young woman who was betrothed
to him, with her mother, and his youngest brother, to make the best of
their way, he himself, with his servants, took all the care they could
to keep off the barbarians; and when at every assault he had slain a great
many of them, he came to the strong hold of Masada.